Holy Family: The Heart of Florham Park for Four Generations

Back Row, from left to right: Principal Dawn Paskalides and Fr. Thomas Rekiel
Front Row, from left to right: Paco Salas, Caroline Coraggio, Ewan Alvarez, Jake LabelBack Row, from left to right: Principal Dawn Paskalides and Fr. Thomas Rekiel
Front Row, from left ...Credits: Dawn Paskalides

By DEANNA ROSA

October 18, 2016 at 1:31 AM

FLORHAM PARK, NJ- As we turned down another winding neighborhood road on our trek to the exact geographic center of Florham Park, Mary Humpsey pointed out the passenger’s side window to the street sign which read Lloyd Avenue, the site of our destination.

The longtime Florham Park resident explained that a 3.6-acre land plot was donated by the street’s namesake, Lloyd Smith, to Holy Family Parish in 1951. The construction of the church now known as “the heart of Florham Park” began that fall, commencing a legacy sustained to this day by four generations of families.

The eighty families who comprised the inaugural congregation attended their first mass in celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family on Jan. 7, 1951, at the Florham Park Roller Rink on Ridgedale Avenue. Humpsey explained that the “holy rollers”—as the early church members were dubbed—would load a pick-up truck with folding chairs borrowed from St. Vincent’s Cemetery each week and drive them over to the roller rink for Sunday mass led by Father O’Connell. It wasn’t until Thanksgiving Day of 1952 that the church was dedicated by Archbishop Thomas Boland at its current home at 1 Lloyd Avenue.

“It’s humble. Isn’t it humble?” Humpsey described the interior of the 64-year-old parish with as much reverence and conviction as when announcing that the school history teacher’s name sounded “quintessential.” The simple informality of the black and white checkered floor tiles contrasted with the warmth of the church’s dark wooden pews incited an emotion similar to the comfort of walking into my family’s living room.

“My husband and I got married here, and two of my daughters got married here,” continued Humpsey with a hint of nostalgia. She indicated an American flag in the front corner of the high-ceilinged room and explained that it was placed there in memory of a deacon’s son-in-law who died on 9/11.

Though she just retired after 50 years of teaching, Humpsey calls herself the “permanent substitute teacher” for Holy Family School, which opened in 1954 with 173 students. Gesturing to the freshly-painted bright yellow doors, she explained that they reflect the vision of the school’s new principal with the utmost precision. “She is energy,” Humpsey said of Principal Dawn Paskalides, explaining that, along with spearheading a few of the building’s much-needed renovations, Paskilades provided each student with a chrome book and implemented a STEM program for Kindergarten through eighth grade.

Humpsey glided through the building with an ease that proved her earlier-stated notion of the Holy Family’s position as a “home base” for her family. Her family has attended church at Holy Family for the past 50 years, and all four of her children went through Holy Family School. Humpsey’s first class that she taught as a 22-year-old college graduate was Holy Family’s seventh grade class of 40 students—all girls, 10 of whom were named Mary.

“She used to read a portion of Little Women to us every day,” said Mary Smith, one of Humpsey’s first students and Holy Family School’s current librarian and Pre-K 4 religion teacher. Smith, whose grandson is now enrolled at the school, explained that those moments, listening to Humpsey read, were some of the most memorable of sixth grade.

Humpsey’s family is just one of about 1600 who attend Holy Family Church today. Her story presents only a small time capsule of the four generations of history the parish has created. Holy Family looks forward to a future of continual service to the residents of Florham Park.

EAST HANOVER, N.J.- East Hanover Police and Fire responded to a report of smoke coming from the second floor of a home on Mckinley Avenue. Sargent McPartlandandSargent McCoy arrived at the location along with Captain Ambrose.

The officers kicked in the front door and rescued the elderly home owner on the first floor, while smoke was coming from the windows on the second floor. The East ...

EAST HANOVER, N.J.- East Hanover Police and Fire responded to a report of smoke coming from the ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Some students were still being held at Livingston schools after 7 p.m. on Thursday after snow quickly accumulated during rush hour, according to Livingston police, who are still working vigorously to help drivers navigate the snow and get home safely.

“Everybody’s safe, it’s just a matter of getting everybody home—that’s our number one goal,” said Chief of Police Gary ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Some students were still being held at Livingston schools after 7 p.m. on Thursday ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — After being stranded on school buses for nearly five hours in a powerful snowstorm, students are reportedly being moved to safe locations, the West Orange mayor wrote in a Facebook post around 9 p.m. Thursday.

“The township is currently moving all children off stranded school buses and to safe locations. Police/Fire personnel are getting to stranded buses however necessary ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — After being stranded on school buses for nearly five hours in a powerful ...

CHATHAM, NJ - Giants fans got a second chance to revel in their team's come-from-behind victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday night when tight end Evan Engram came to Legends Gallery in Chatham to sign photos and memorabilia.

Less than 24 hours after Engram keyed the winning drive in Santa Clara, Calif., he was in Chatham signing for appreciative Giants fans. Engram ignited the ...

EAST HANOVER, N.J.- Students from Mendham, Pompton Plains, Boonton, Kinnelon, East Hanover, Parsippany, Budd Lake, Oak Ridge, Chester and Morristown were honored as Mayo Performing Arts Center's October Music Students of the Month - Outstanding Vocalists -- prior to the Wednesday, October 17 performance by The Tenors.

The students were recognized for their achievements on stage prior to the ...

EAST HANOVER, N.J.- Students from Mendham, Pompton Plains, Boonton, Kinnelon, East Hanover, ...

EAST HANOVER, N.J.- At 6 pm the church bells rang and the pews of St. Rose of Lima Church filled with Brother Knights, their wives and the wives of deceased brother knights. The East Hanover Knights of Columbus Council held their annual remembrance mass for those Brother Knights who have passed away

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest fraternal service organization. Founded in ...

EAST HANOVER, N.J.- At 6 pm the church bells rang and the pews of St. Rose of Lima Church filled ...

MORRISTOWN, NJ - Thomas Kolding, a 15-year-old from Mountain Lakes who left home Oct. 30, has been found, said authorities today.

In a brief joint statement that offered no details about the matter, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp, Mountain Lakes Police Chief Shawn Bennet and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of
Investigations Stephen F. Wilson Jr., said the boy was ...

MORRISTOWN, NJ - Thomas Kolding, a 15-year-old from Mountain Lakes who left home Oct. 30, has been ...

SPRINGFIELD, NJ -- Thera-Palooza, a special needs therapy fair, was held here recently at the Hilton Garden Inn.

“Thera-Palooza is an experiential event for families with loved ones with special needs,” said Leslie Crowe, the founder of NeedQuest, a local directory of special needs resources, and the organizer of Thera-Palooza. “At this event, we are bringing providers and children ...

SPRINGFIELD, NJ -- Thera-Palooza, a special needs therapy fair, was held here recently at the ...